Chapter 5 Cassie's POV

I felt completely stunned by what Damien had just told me while my mind raced because I had ordered Asher to give orders for his father's death. His father. His father. Every beat of my racing heart threatened to suffocate me while pounding loudly enough to possibly attract Damien's attention. My entire body felt numb and cold because I couldn't fight off this absolute frigid sensation. Asher attached a weight of such magnitude to his decision while he prevented me from ever learning about it. Why would he do it? I somehow lacked the necessary intelligence to carry out a simple task like that.

I met Damien's intense stare as he continued to view me after my revelation. He maintained a cool demeanor like none of his revelations mattered because the knowledge about Asher particularly had destroyed all my prior beliefs. Standing firm despite my body weakness I protected my real emotions from being seen on my face. Asher's father... The death of Asher's father resulted from my faith in his untruths.

My throat felt tight so I labored to speak with control and calmness. "Why didn't he tell me? What would Asher gain from having me kill his father? It made no sense to me.

A chilling form of amusement appeared in Damien's eyes which slowly turned dark. You know too little about important matters, Cassie. More than you could imagine."

"What do you mean?" Despite making strong attempts to remain controlled I could feel my voice shaking. The person who stood in front of me seemed to possess all the information I was seeking desperately. "If there's more, tell me."

A smirk curled his lips while his watching eyes with that taunting expression sent my gut in a tight roll. His expression suggested enjoyment because he loved observing my mental breakdown before his eyes. He spoke to me with low mockery while asking "Why would I do that?" There are no benefits for me to reveal the truth given your current stance so why share what is obvious? You've already made your choices."

The rising anger inside me caused me to squeeze my fits so hard they hurt. I moved one step forward and said firmly "I need to know." vecan simply throw this information at me without providing any clarity about everything that has been happening. I will never feel comfortable until you tell me all the truths about Asher.

A brief mocking laugh escaped Damien's throat without any hint of amusement. He let out the word "Deserve?" while lifting his eyebrow. Is your life about personal deserving?

As I started to defend myself he silenced me with a firm movement of his head. "You've already been manipulated, Cassie. By Asher. By the people around you. Knowing more facts will help your situation right now. Nothing occurring in the past will alter because of this information. We might get more advantages by not knowing about our secrets rather than finding them out.

His words delivered a hard slap which knocked me down. Was he right? At this stage of my situation knowing the entire truth becomes a moot point. Watching Asher's web of deceit surrounding our relationship reminded me of the anger that resurfaced violently. I denied his question with a helpless nod of my head. "I won't live in the dark. I need to know the truth. Keeping up appearances when life falls apart is something I cannot do. You won't drag me through a superficial fairy tale existence Damien Alpha.

His expression remained fixed with that calculated smile as he stared without response. He started approaching me while investigating my expression to determine if I meant what I said. He stared at me with an amused smirk while asking "So you think you'll end up with a perfect storybook conclusion?" "With Asher? After everything you've done?"

Standing before him I fiercely met his eyes as my heartbeat sounded loudly between my ears. "I didn't do anything wrong. I was lied to."

And now you want the truth." His eyes never leaving mine, he took another step closer to me. 'But you sure you can handle it, Cassie?'" You're already shaking. But when you hear the rest what's going to happen?"

I straightened up and resolved not to let him see how much he was pulling on me. My voice this time was firmer. I repeated, "I need to know." "You know something when you know it, and if I don't know, I'll never be able to live with myself." Just tell me, please Alpha Damien. Tell me everything."

He raised an eyebrow at me, a combination of amusement and... something else I couldn't tell that I was thinking. Do you think you have any right to demand things of me? I'm not your ally. He smirked, drawing another step closer to me, bringing us one step closer together. His presence engulfed him, I could feel the heat radiating off him.

My breath hitched and I stepped back. "Keeping my voice steady," I said, "I'm not asking for much." "Just the truth."

He slowly looked me over like he was checking me out, eyes lingering on me and making my skin question if I needed a bath. "He'd always been a stubborn one."

"Alpha Damien, please."

"Hmm." His eyes gleamed with dangerous something, and he tilted his head a little. "But then it wouldn't be better if you didn't know?" Think about it, Cassie. Or you could go back to Asher and live your happy little life and pretend this never happened. Isn't that what you want? A fairytale ending with your prince?"

His words smacked me, but I wasn't backing down. "No," I said firmly. "Not if it's built on lies. I can't live like that."

Damien's teeth showed in the corners of his mouth, his smirk fading to a serious expression. "You're not going to stop?"

I shook my head. "No."

He exhaled loudly, frustratedly turning away from me for a moment and then looking over his shoulder. With pure coldness, he said, "I don't owe you anything." "Why should I tell you anything?" I say, "I have no reason to tell you anything." And it's not my job to fix the mess Asher made."

Words of anger surged through me. I stepped forward. "If you want to live."

He was startled by it. He turned back to me slowly, looking amused. Again storming toward me, he backed me into a corner and asked, "You want to kill me?" Meanwhile, I could feel my cheeks flush up a little, yet I didn't retreat.

Looking into my eyes, his eyes locked onto mine, and for a second, I felt the air sizzle between us. Even carrying a weapon in his hand, he stopped a matter of inches away from me, his voice a dangerous whisper. "Well, Cassie?"